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Lady's mantle

Lady's mantle

Alchemilla

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How common: Very common

Lady's mantle is a group of low to mid-sized meadow plants known for their soft, pleated leaves and clouds of tiny greenish-yellow flowers. They are most widespread in the cool and temperate parts of Europe and Asia, with some species in mountain areas of Africa and the Americas. The ruffled leaves often hold shining droplets that have inspired myths.

Did you know?

  • Lady's mantle often sets seed without pollination, producing offspring like the parent.
  • Its name Alchemilla refers to alchemy; people once prized the dew-like drops that gather on the leaves.

About the species

Identification

Forms loose clumps 10–70 cm tall from a woody base. Leaves on long stalks are round to kidney-shaped and divided into shallow finger-like lobes; the surface is softly pleated and the edges toothed, often with fine hairs. Droplets often sit along the leaf edges. Flower clusters branch at the top of the stems and where leaves join the stem; the flowers are tiny, greenish to yellow, with no petals. Fruits are small hard seeds. Many look-alike small species exist, but all share the ruffled leaves and greenish, petal-free flowers. In Finland it flowers from May to August.

Plant group

Herbaceous plants

Habitat

herb-rich forest, meadow, yards and roadsides, shore, fell

Flowering

May–Aug

About the habitat

Most species grow in open, sunny places such as meadows, pastures, roadsides and garden edges; others occur on rocky slopes, woodland edges, and even in alpine heaths, depending on the species. Common throughout the country.

Sources

Photo: Dominicus Johannes Bergsma, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vrouwenmantel (Alchemilla mollis) d.j.b 02.jpg

Text: Pinkka: Verso- ja leviäintunnistus - Kaikki versot, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.38874

Text: Pinkka: BIO-503 Suomen kasvisto ja kasvillisuus - Kulttuuriympäristöt: niityt, CC BY 4.0 https://laji.fi/taxon/MX.38874

Text: Wikipedia (Finnish), CC BY-SA 4.0 https://fi.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poimulehdet

See also